Sunday, 20 September
The Journey to Mease State Park
The drive to Meade State Park took about four hours, with two stops for gas along the way. We refueled first after about an hour, then again after another hour and a half. At each stop, we switched drivers because the relentless, strong winds made the drive exhausting for both of us.
As we traveled farther southwest, the landscape became increasingly flat and desolate, with fewer signs of civilization and vast stretches of open country. Near Dodge City, the scenery began to change as we encountered a surge in truck traffic. Passing the outskirts of the city, we were struck by the sheer scale of the massive cattle yards, with hundreds of animals tightly packed into large enclosures. Nearby, towering grain bins and sprawling truck parking lots underscored the area’s prominence as an agricultural and transportation hub.
It was a stark contrast to the quiet, open roads we had been driving, giving us a glimpse into the industrial side of life in this part of Kansas.
Meade State Park
We arrived at the campground around 2 pm with a total trip distance of 199.1 miles with 7.1 mpg. The strong wind hurt the gas mileage.
We had a great spot about 30 yards from the lake edge, but the wind was so high that I was not sure we would get a chance to enjoy it. We quickly unhooked the trailer and took off for Liberal, KS so that we could visit the Land of Oz Museum before it closed at 5 pm.
Wizard of Oz Museum
About 30 miles away, we arrived at The Wizard of Oz Museum around 3 PM, discovering it was co-located with the Seward County Historical Museum. At the entrance to the Historical Museum, we purchased tickets for the Wizard of Oz tour.
A young woman dressed as Dorothy guided us through the first part of the experience: a replica of Dorothy’s house. The house was carefully constructed and decorated to mimic the one from the movie, using authentic antique household items to create an accurate period look. Dorothy led us through each room, describing the furnishings and how they would have been used in daily life. On one wall, a photo from the movie was displayed as proof of how closely they had matched the original set.
Next, she took us to a separate building marked with a sign reading “The World of Oz.” Inside, we followed her through a maze while she acted out scenes from the movie. The maze featured colorful but slightly cheesy scenery, bringing to life memorable locations like the Yellow Brick Road and the Wicked Witch’s castle. While the props and decorations were simple, Dorothy’s energy and dedication truly elevated the experience.
The tour concluded in a room showcasing an impressive Wizard of Oz memorabilia collection.
Seward County Historical Museum
After the Wizard of Oz tour, we explored the Seward County Historical Museum. While it was similar to other regional museums we had visited, it offered its own charm with a diverse collection of artifacts showcasing the local history of Seward County. Exhibits included vintage photographs, pioneer-era tools, and displays highlighting the agricultural and cultural heritage of the area.
Once we finished inside, we headed outside to explore the additional Wizard of Oz-themed decorations scattered around the grounds. These included life-sized cutouts of the main characters, colorful props inspired by the movie, and a charming replica of the Yellow Brick Road. We took plenty of pictures, posing with the whimsical displays and enjoying the playful atmosphere.
International Pancake Hall of Fame
Next, we made our way to the International Pancake Hall of Fame, even though we knew it would be closed. This quirky attraction celebrates Liberal’s annual Pancake Day race, a tradition inspired by a similar event held in Olney, England. The race features women sprinting down the street while flipping pancakes in skillets, a lighthearted competition between the two cities. At the end of each race, the towns call each other to compare times and crown the fastest pancake flippers.
Although the Hall of Fame itself was closed, we found a playful touch on the porch—a stack of oversized fake pancakes perfect for a photo op. We couldn’t resist snapping a few pictures to commemorate our stop at this uniquely fun and charming landmark.
Dinner – Sonic/Braums & KC Chiefs
We decided to grab dinner at Sonic and treat ourselves to milkshakes from Braum’s before heading back to the trailer. Along the drive, we managed to pick up a faint radio signal broadcasting the Chiefs game. We tuned in just before halftime, with the Chiefs trailing by 9 points.
The signal started cutting in and out as the third quarter began, leaving us in suspense during critical plays. The intermittent updates added an extra layer of tension to the drive. By the time we returned to the campground, the Chiefs had tied the game midway through the fourth quarter—just as the signal faded completely, leaving us guessing about the outcome.
Meade State Park
When we returned to the camper, we hooked up the water and set out our outdoor rug. The ground was too hard for stakes to secure the rug, so I improvised by placing large rocks on each corner to keep it from blowing away. Afterward, we relaxed outside for a bit before taking a leisurely walk around the campground.
During our walk, we discovered a peaceful peninsula with a picnic table where we could sit and enjoy the serene view of the lake. The calm water and soft evening light made it a perfect spot to unwind. Back at the trailer, we managed to get a weak cell phone signal and found out that the Chiefs had pulled off a thrilling victory in overtime. It was a great way to end the day.
Sunset
As the sun set, we wandered to another peninsula to capture photos of the sunset over the lake. On the way, we passed a camper with three dogs penned outside. Predictably, they started barking as we walked by and didn’t stop for the next 45 minutes.
The lake, though small, offered a peaceful setting for sunset viewing. While the view here was better than at our last campground, we still didn’t get the vibrant, streaking colors we had hoped for. Nonetheless, the soft glow of the setting sun reflecting off the water created a tranquil and calming scene.
There was no internet or TV service here, so we decided to watch a DVD before bed.
Monday, 21 September
We decided to go with oatmeal for breakfast instead of a larger meal, hoping to get an earlier start. While Lisa was microwaving her oatmeal, the electricity went out in the camper. I had to reset the circuit breaker outside and inside the trailer to restore power. We figured the outage happened because the coffee pot, microwave, and electric fireplace were all running simultaneously. The traditional rule for 30-amp trailers is to avoid using more than two major appliances simultaneously to prevent system overload.
Greensburg, The Big Well
Our first stop was Greensburg to visit The Big Well, which is promoted as the largest hand-dug well in the world. However, according to Wikipedia, two other hand-dug wells are larger. The drive was over an hour long, and when we arrived, we were struck by how new everything looked in the town. Upon entering the museum, we were reminded of the devastating F5 tornado that struck Greensburg in 2007. What we saw now was a town rebuilt from the ground up, and the museum reflected that story more than it focused on the well itself.
The museum’s primary theme was not just about the well but also about the tornado and the rebuilding effort. After the town was leveled, it was reconstructed as a “green” town, emphasizing sustainability and eco-friendly practices. The Big Well Museum was designed as a round building around the well, with the walls adorned with statements, pictures, videos, facts, and stories detailing the tornado’s destruction and the town’s recovery. The well itself was in the center of the museum, and visitors could descend into it to get a closer look. There was also a lookout area where you could step outside and see how the town had been rebuilt, with an impressive view of both the new town and the innovative green architecture. The museum served as a powerful memorial to both the tragic event and the resilience of the community.
The town also had several memorials and art projects scattered outside, so we took a few minutes to walk around and look at them.
Dodge City, Boot Hill Museum
Afterward, we headed to Dodge City to visit the Boot Hill Museum. Along the way, we passed the site of Fort Dodge, which had been transformed into a Veterans Soldiers Home. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get very close due to COVID restrictions.
As we entered Dodge City, a few things stood out immediately. First, the enormous meat processing plants—Cargill and National Beef—loomed large, surrounded by vast fenced-in areas holding cattle. The sheer scale of these operations was striking. The second thing you notice is the large number of grain silos scattered throughout the city skyline, further emphasizing the agricultural nature of the region. Trucks hauling grain and cattle were everywhere, and the town itself had many stores catering to a large Mexican population, likely employed at these facilities.
The Boot Hill Museum is located near the old city center, on the hill where the original Boot Hill Cemetery once stood. The front portion of the museum is a newly built structure, though much of the area was still under construction during our visit. The gift shop and ticket counter were open, and we were required to sign a log and have our temperatures checked before entering. The cost was $14 each with a senior discount, which seemed a bit high, especially considering that many of the attractions we had visited in recent months had been free.
Once outside the building, we were greeted by a row of facades that resembled an old western town. These facades are used for evening shows in the summer, but by mid-August, they only held performances on select weekends. The self-guided tour began at a building dedicated to telling the story of the Native Americans in the area. We then walked to the old cemetery, where the bodies have since been moved to another site, but there are still signs and headstones to provide the stories of those originally buried there.
Next, we visited the general store, where old store items were displayed alongside items available for purchase. Lisa especially enjoyed the “cartridge candy”—black sugar wrapped in brown paper, looking just like gunpowder packets used for muzzle-loading rifles. The next stop was the Long Branch Saloon, where you could order beer or soda. We opted for a sarsaparilla but decided to drink it outside since we had to remove our masks to drink.
After finishing our sodas, we returned inside to explore the rest of the exhibits, which wound through various sections of the town’s facades. The museum had over twenty sections, each covering a different aspect of Dodge City’s history—from rifles and lawmen to outlaws, ranches, churches, and women’s roles in the town. The displays were incredibly detailed and impressive.
There were also several outdoor buildings, including a blacksmith shop and a church, which offered additional insights into the history of the area. While the exhibits were fascinating, we couldn’t help but feel uneasy at times, as we ran into a few visitors who weren’t wearing masks correctly—or at all. We’ve definitely grown accustomed to being away from large crowds and maintaining social distancing during this pandemic.
We drove around the town and then got a Diet Coke from McDonald’s before heading back.
M.T. Liggett’s Political Sculptures
Along the way, we passed a long stretch of fence full of bizarre metal sculptures called M.T. Liggett’s Political Sculptures. This roadside attraction, created by artist M.T. Liggett, features a unique collection of sculptures made from scrap metal, many of which comment on political and social issues. The sculptures were colorful, eccentric, and often humorous, making for an unexpected and thought-provoking stop. Some of the works were political, while others were just fun and quirky, showcasing Liggett’s creativity and sense of humor.
Drive to Campground
We continued to see a lot of plowed fields, dispersed farmhouses surrounded by the only trees you could find, and lots of trucks. We stopped in Meade for some gas, and while there swung by the Dalton Gang Hideout. We had already decided that we were not interested in going in but had to swing by to take a look at it. There was not anything we could see from the road, so we drove onward.
Kayaking
When we got back, we quickly got in our swimsuits, inflated the kayak, and went kayaking around the very small lake. We went down to the boat ramp to launch, and it was so mossy and slippery that we had a heck of a time getting into the kayak without falling. It was only a little windy, so it was an enjoyable float. The outside of the lake had a lot of cattails, a nice beach, a dam, and a rocky coastline. We saw a couple of herons, two turtles, and a bunch of jumping fish. We went around the lake about one and a half times.
Evening
When we got back it was getting late. I put away the kayak, Lisa prepared dinner, and we alternated rinsing off in the shower. We had a nice dinner of hamburgers and slaw before it started getting dark and cold. Afterward, we watched a DVD movie before heading to bed.
Tuesday, 22 September
In the morning light, we saw a pretty heavy fog rolling in as we drank our morning coffee inside the trailer. I was not in any hurry to get to the next park because we had seen most of the attractions in the area, so we took our time packing again.
